Orange EV vehicles support freight company’s push to cut emissions at key distribution hubs

GLS Canada, a freight and logistics company based in Dorval, Que., has implemented four all-electric, heavy-duty terminal trucks at its operations in Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg.

A terminal truck, or yard truck, is a compact vehicle used to move semi trailers around a warehouse yard or port. The new GLS additions are Orange EV HUSK-e terminal trucks, which eliminate an estimated 80 to 90 tons of CO₂ annually each, according to the manufacturer. They have a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of up to 180,000 pounds and use a standard 243-kWh battery pack.

Adding to the electric fleet

“This investment is part of our decarbonization journey in line with the Science Based Targets initiative and reflects our continuous commitment to reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and building a decarbonized operation for our employees, customers, and communities,” said Mélanie Camara, director of environment and sustainability at GLS Canada, in a press release. 

The freight company says it now has 42 electric and low-emission vehicles (including the four new terminal trucks) in its operations across Canada. It also has a network of 60 chargers that include both Level 2 and DC fast charging. 

In 2023, GLS Canada introduced four Lion Electric Lion6 Class 6 trucks for last-mile deliveries, with two operating in Quebec and two in Western Canada. 

GLS has more than 60 terminals across Canada. 

Terminal truck benefits

Orange says its electric terminal trucks have logged more than 12 million key-on hours and more than 50 million kilometres across North America, delivering 97 to 99 per cent uptime. 

There are many benefits of going with an electric terminal truck. Its electric motor doesn’t have to warm up like a diesel engine, which is ideal for short and sporadic runs towing loads that could be either heavy or light. 

It never leaves the yard, so range anxiety is a non-issue and it greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution in the immediate vicinity of the yard. 

Orange EV says the HUSK-e can save up to $120,000 per year, per truck in fuel and maintenance costs in certain two-shift operations.

Coca-Cola Canada Bottling announced it also adopted an electric terminal truck for its operations in Montreal, joining six Class 8 electric delivery trucks there. 

It also added nine more Class 8 delivery trucks for Quebec City and Vancouver.